Motorcyclists in and around the Denver area get to enjoy incredible scenery throughout most of the year – scenery that most riders around the country are envious of. In fact, plenty of people journey to Denver with their motorcycles just to take in rides in this area. However, motorcycle crashes can result in catastrophic and severe injuries.
At Manning Herington, our Denver motorcycle accident attorneys are standing by to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the negligent actions of another driver. The attorneys at our personal injury law firm have the resources necessary to fully investigate Colorado motorcycle accident claims and help clients recover total compensation for their losses.
Have you been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident? Are insurance adjusters giving you the runaround? Are you worried about how to cover your medical expenses? Put our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys to work for you.
We are dedicated to working quickly and effectively for injured motorcyclists and their families. From the moment you contact us, you’ll receive personalized attention and support from a team of experienced motorcycle accident attorneys. We take the time to understand your unique situation and listen to your story, ensuring you receive the care and representation you deserve. Most of our clients come to us through referrals from satisfied former clients who appreciate our dedication and commitment to personal service.
We have built a strong reputation among peers and insurance companies as tenacious advocates. We fight aggressively for our clients in both settlement negotiations and the courtroom, ensuring that your rights are protected every step of the way.
Manning Herington has a successful track record of recovering compensation for clients injured in a range of motor vehicle accidents. Notable settlements and verdicts our Denver motorcycle accident lawyers have secured include:
A motorcycle accident is a type of traffic collision that involves a motorcycle and can result in injuries or fatalities to the motorcyclist and/or other parties involved. These accidents can occur due to various factors, including reckless driving, speeding, drunk driving, and poor road conditions. Unlike car accidents, motorcycle accidents often result in more severe injuries due to the lack of protective barriers for the rider. Understanding the nature of these accidents is crucial for both prevention and legal recourse.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accidents account for a significant number of traffic fatalities in the United States. In 2020, there were over 5,000 motorcycle fatalities, which accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Additionally, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries, with motorcyclists being 28 times more likely to be killed in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. These statistics highlight the inherent risks associated with motorcycle riding and underscore the importance of safety measures and legal protections for motorcyclists.
In Colorado, a law known as the statute of limitations places a deadline on your right to file a motorcycle accident claim. This deadline is three years from the date that the accident takes place, in most cases. If you experienced a delayed discovery of your injuries, the clock will not start ticking until the date of reasonable discovery.
There are also special deadlines in place for unique cases, such as cases involving injured minors or government liability. It is important to contact a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing your time limit to file. If you attempt to file an injury claim outside of the statute of limitations, it will most likely be denied.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s essential to take the right steps to ensure your safety, gather evidence, and protect your rights. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Your immediate priority after a motorcycle accident should be your safety. If you’re injured, call 911 right away. If you’re not injured, move to a safe location away from traffic to avoid further harm. Check yourself and others for injuries and wait for emergency services to arrive if you’re unable to move.
Gathering evidence at the scene of the accident is crucial for building a strong motorcycle accident claim. Here’s what you should collect:
After ensuring your safety and collecting evidence, it’s crucial to contact a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can guide you through the complex process of filing a claim, dealing with insurance companies, and seeking compensation for your injuries and damages. They will help protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
As a motorcycle accident victim, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and damages. It is essential to understand your legal rights and responsibilities to ensure that you receive fair compensation. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you should:
It is crucial to remember that motorcycle accident cases can be complex and require the expertise of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. A skilled lawyer can help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with the insurance company, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
A skilled Denver motorcycle accident attorney will be an invaluable resource for motorcycle accident claims. The reality is that most motorcycle crash victims lack the resources necessary to properly stand up to aggressive insurance carriers and legal teams in these cases.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Denver can level the playing field between the injury victim and the other parties involved. First, an attorney will thoroughly investigate the incident to recover all evidence needed to prove liability. They will also ensure that their client is evaluated by trusted medical and economic professionals.
Importantly, a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to combat the unwarranted biases that other parties typically have against motorcyclists. Believe it or not, the biases of insurance carriers and personal injury juries can turn a case against a motorcyclist, even if other parties were at fault for the incident. An experienced Denver motorcycle accident lawyer will diligently work to turn the favor of these other parties toward their client so that they can recover the compensation necessary.
Being injured in a motorcycle accident can have major ramifications on your life and future. While no amount of money may be enough to make up for a serious accident, a fair settlement or jury verdict could help you rebuild your life as much as possible, allowing you to move forward. Common types of compensation available in a motorcycle accident case include:
Every motorcycle accident claim is unique. The value of your case will depend on factors such as the gravity of your injuries, how greatly the accident has impacted your life, and the insurance coverage available. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver can evaluate your claim and pursue fair financial compensation on your behalf.
Under state law, the driver, person, or party that is at fault for a motorcycle accident will be held legally and financially responsible (liable). Colorado is an at-fault state, meaning the injured victim must prove that someone else is at fault to hold that party liable. In a no-fault state, on the other hand, drivers file claims with their own insurance companies, regardless of fault.
All drivers in Colorado must carry minimum amounts of insurance, including $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage. If a motorcyclist gets into an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, the rider must seek compensation from their own car insurance provider or file a claim against a third party, such as the government for an unsafe roadway.
A damage cap is a legal limit on the amount of financial compensation that is available to a plaintiff in a civil claim. Many states have caps on certain types of damages. In Colorado, there is no cap on economic damages, referring to the quantifiable costs associated with an accident – such as hospital bills, losses of income, and property damage. However, there are damage caps on noneconomic damages (pain and suffering).
Under Colorado law, a personal injury plaintiff may not recover more than the statewide caps in noneconomic damages. In 2019, the state’s caps on noneconomic damages were increased to adjust for inflation for the first time since 2008. As of 2024, these caps are $1,500,000 for a personal injury claim, $2,125,000 for a wrongful death claim (except in a death caused by a “felonious killing”), and $875,000 over five years for a medical malpractice claim.
Unsafe lane changes are a frequent hazard on Denver’s busy streets. What might seem like a minor inconvenience for a car driver can lead to a catastrophic high-speed accident for a motorcyclist, who is much more vulnerable to serious injury.
Few actions are more careless than opening a car door into the path of oncoming traffic. For a motorcyclist, this act can be life-threatening. If you’ve been injured due to a driver’s reckless door opening, you deserve compensation. We are committed to securing the justice you deserve.
The faster a vehicle moves, the greater the force of impact in a collision. For motorcyclists, who lack the structural protection of a car, the consequences of a speeding-related accident are often severe. Serious injuries are almost guaranteed due to the nature of motorcycle accidents at high speeds.
Motorists must always keep their vehicles under control, which includes avoiding sudden stops that can result in accidents. When a motorcyclist is involved, the impact of an abrupt stop can be even more devastating. In most cases, the driver who stops without warning is considered at fault, leaving them liable for any resulting injuries.
Motorcycle accidents involving drivers under the influence (DUI) can lead to both criminal charges and civil claims for damages. In these cases, additional legal issues may arise, such as the possibility of punitive damages or the involvement of a third-party alcohol vendor. Our team is ready to handle the complexities of DUI-related motorcycle accident claims to ensure that you are fully compensated.
It is wise to prepare yourself for potential strategies that may be employed by an insurance company in an attempt to diminish or deny your payout in a motorcycle accident claim. Insurance companies are biased against motorcyclists, often viewing them as risk-takers and thrill-seekers. Unfortunately, this can make it more difficult to receive the financial compensation that you deserve for a motorcycle accident.
One example is the comparative negligence defense. Colorado has a modified comparative negligence law under CO Code § 13-21-111 that states that if a victim is found to be partially at fault for the accident, he or she can still receive financial compensation, as long as the degree of fault is less than 51 percent. However, the victim’s financial recovery will be reduced by a percentage that is equivalent to their degree of fault.
An insurance company may attempt to blame you for the motorcycle accident, such as by claiming that you were speeding or lane-splitting at the time of the crash. An insurer may also try to reduce your payout if you were not wearing a helmet and are seeking compensation for a head or brain injury. We can prepare for potential arguments from an insurance company and protect your right to recover financial compensation.
